Molecular analysis of natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis in an endemic area for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

作者：Araujo Soares Maria Regiane; Carvalho Cristiane Costa; Silva Lucileine Amorim; Cruz Souza Lima Mauro Sergio; Prado Barral Aldina Maria; Macario Rebelo Jose Manuel; Ferreira Pereira Silma Regina

来源：Cadernos de Saude Publica, 2010, 26(12): 2407-2411.

• Psychodidae
• Leishmania
• Polymerase Chain Reaction

The main purpose of this study was to investigate natural infection by Leishmania chagasi in female sand flies in a visceral leishmaniasis (VL) focus on Sao Luis Island, Maranhao State, Brazil. Molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to determine the rate of natural infection of Lutzomyia longipalpis by L. chagasi in areas of old and recent human settlement on Sao Luis Island. Based on a sample of 800 female specimens captured from March to August 2005, the natural infection rate was 1.25% in an area of old settlement and 0.25% in two recently settled areas. Infection of L. longipalpis was detected in both areas, regardless of the number of reported human VL cases, indicating that other factors modulating infection in the wild need to be investigated. The results confirm PCR as a specific technique and an important tool for epidemiological surveillance.

• 出版日期2010-12